modern artillery may pack a bigger punch
but these old-school tools are truly
something to marvel at welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
down our picks for the top 10 coolest
ancient warrior weapons before we begin
this video is made in partnership with
Sotheby’s if you’re interested in seeing
more videos of cool historical artifacts
subscribe to Sotheby’s channel on
YouTube for this list we’re looking at
the most interesting weapons from
history and avoiding specific ones that
were only used by one historical figure
number 10 flaming arrows a weapon that
doesn’t have to be complicated to get
the job done
[Music]
flaming arrows are one of the earliest
recorded uses of incendiary devices with
documented use from as far back as the
siege of LA he SH in 701 BC unlike many
of the other weapons on our list this
one kills two birds with one stone by
taking out a single enemy while
potentially starting a blaze that
hopefully spreads over the centuries
different populations have made
advancements to improve the basic
concept of flaming arrows but the
tried-and-true method can still work
destructive wonders number 9 atlatl or
spear thrower the design of this weapon
may be simple but it sure is effective
atlatl is the Nahuatl or Aztec word for
what is more commonly known as a spear
thrower tools like these have been used
for much of human history with traces of
this weapon being found in Europe from
the late Upper Paleolithic era the tool
essentially works the same way as that
thing you use to throw balls for your
dog to avoid getting slobber on your
hands an atlatl can be thrown at a range
of 110 yards from the user’s target
though it’s most accurate when used to
never ate flail the flail has several
different iterations but even in its
most basic form
it’s a weapon you do not want to go up
against the purpose of a weapon with
this design other than looking totally
cool is that with the right technique
you can wrap it around your opponent’s
shield striking them even when a sword
couldn’t the peasant flail which was
used in the late Middle Ages was
actually an agricultural tool that
peasants took to using in combat
interestingly due to a lack of physical
evidence it’s debated as to whether the
spiked flail which is so commonly seen
number seven twin hooks this weapon goes
by many different names the hook sword
tiger head hooks and in simplified
chinese but– ow
down you go though it’s design is reminiscent of a shepherd’s crook this
reminiscent of a shepherd’s crook this martial arts weapon can do some serious
martial arts weapon can do some serious damage the history behind this tool of
damage the history behind this tool of war is murky with some claiming it dates
war is murky with some claiming it dates back as far as the Song Dynasty of 962
back as far as the Song Dynasty of 962 1279 while others attest that there’s
1279 while others attest that there’s only evidence of it having been in use
only evidence of it having been in use since the ching era of the 17th century
since the ching era of the 17th century based on the historical facts twin hooks
based on the historical facts twin hooks were never officially used by the
were never officially used by the chinese army but were rather for
chinese army but were rather for civilian use
civilian use number 6 Chi Yong quite simply Chi Yong
number 6 Chi Yong quite simply Chi Yong is the Chinese word for spear in ancient
is the Chinese word for spear in ancient China there were four major weapons used
China there were four major weapons used in battle the staff the sabre the sword
in battle the staff the sabre the sword and the spear the Chi Yong or spear
and the spear the Chi Yong or spear earned the name the king of weapons
earned the name the king of weapons these Spears could range from 9 to 21
these Spears could range from 9 to 21 feet in length and were characterized by
feet in length and were characterized by their blades which were formed in the
their blades which were formed in the shape of leaves another distinctive
shape of leaves another distinctive feature of the chiong was the red tassel
feature of the chiong was the red tassel made of horsehair which served to
made of horsehair which served to distract the person being attacked and
distract the person being attacked and make it more difficult for them to grab
make it more difficult for them to grab the spear before it hit them just a
the spear before it hit them just a reminder to subscribe to Sotheby’s
reminder to subscribe to Sotheby’s channel for more videos featuring
channel for more videos featuring amazing and unique artifacts like a lost
amazing and unique artifacts like a lost Imperial Chinese vaz that was found in a
Imperial Chinese vaz that was found in a French attic number 5 scissor scissors
French attic number 5 scissor scissors you’re probably wondering how this
you’re probably wondering how this humble household item ended up on a list
humble household item ended up on a list of the coolest weapons in history
of the coolest weapons in history [Music]
[Music] however we’re not talking about scissors
however we’re not talking about scissors but rather the scissor singular a
but rather the scissor singular a short-range weapon used by a type of
short-range weapon used by a type of ancient Roman gladiator who shared the
ancient Roman gladiator who shared the weapons name this weapon is put over the
weapons name this weapon is put over the wearer’s forearm and features a handle
wearer’s forearm and features a handle inside for optimal precision the top
inside for optimal precision the top features a crescent-shaped blade that
features a crescent-shaped blade that made this a multi-purpose tool that
made this a multi-purpose tool that could either slash at your opponent or
could either slash at your opponent or block their attacks
block their attacks sadly little is known about this unique
sadly little is known about this unique weapon but it sure was cool number four
weapon but it sure was cool number four Greek fire the inventors of old sure had
Greek fire the inventors of old sure had the right idea when they came up with
the right idea when they came up with this incendiary weapons first used
this incendiary weapons first used around the Year 672 the Byzantine Empire
around the Year 672 the Byzantine Empire developed a formula that would create
developed a formula that would create fire that could not be extinguished even
fire that could not be extinguished even when it touched water this was extremely
when it touched water this was extremely effective for naval battles and was the
effective for naval battles and was the cause of a great number of victories for
cause of a great number of victories for the Romans the craziest part though
the Romans the craziest part though historians speculate it was a
historians speculate it was a combination of pine resin naphtha
combination of pine resin naphtha quicklime calcium phosphide and sulfur
quicklime calcium phosphide and sulfur even centuries later no one knows
even centuries later no one knows exactly how Greek fire was made so you
exactly how Greek fire was made so you betrayed me
betrayed me you promised me Greek liar and this is
you promised me Greek liar and this is all I can deliver I should have had you
all I can deliver I should have had you harm or Dallenbach with your permission
harm or Dallenbach with your permission milord
number three should ikan the Japanese translation of shuddha ken is hidden
translation of shuddha ken is hidden hand blade but we’re guessing you know
hand blade but we’re guessing you know these handy little weapons by their
these handy little weapons by their westernized moniker ninja stars while
westernized moniker ninja stars while those who’ve seen a lot of ninja movies
those who’ve seen a lot of ninja movies may be familiar with the star-shaped
may be familiar with the star-shaped version of these tiny terrors they were
version of these tiny terrors they were in fact made in a variety of different
in fact made in a variety of different shapes and in traditional use their
shapes and in traditional use their purpose wasn’t necessarily to kill your
purpose wasn’t necessarily to kill your enemy but rather to distract them while
enemy but rather to distract them while using a sword to go in for the final
using a sword to go in for the final blow
number two mace sometimes it’s the simplest tools that do the most damage a
simplest tools that do the most damage a mace is a weapon that can be fashioned
mace is a weapon that can be fashioned out of nearly anything which made it an
out of nearly anything which made it an accessible one for people from various
accessible one for people from various social classes the handle can be made
social classes the handle can be made from sturdy wood or metal it really just
from sturdy wood or metal it really just needs a piece on the tip heavy enough to
needs a piece on the tip heavy enough to deliver a solid blow maces have been
deliver a solid blow maces have been around since prehistory with evidence of
around since prehistory with evidence of them being found from the Upper
them being found from the Upper Paleolithic period a mace isn’t to be
Paleolithic period a mace isn’t to be confused with a Morningstar however
confused with a Morningstar however which is the mace like weapon that
which is the mace like weapon that features a spiked ball at its tip before
features a spiked ball at its tip before we unveil our number one pick here are
we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable mentions
number one katana despite all the advances we’ve made in weaponry over the
advances we’ve made in weaponry over the course of history
course of history none of our modern creations can hold a
none of our modern creations can hold a candle to this one in terms of coolness
candle to this one in terms of coolness swords in general are pretty awesome but
swords in general are pretty awesome but none has quite as much mythos and lore
none has quite as much mythos and lore attached to them as katanas do these
attached to them as katanas do these ancient Japanese blades are forged with
ancient Japanese blades are forged with a curved edge which sets them apart from
a curved edge which sets them apart from their Western counterparts historians
their Western counterparts historians have called katana
have called katana some of the quote finest cutting weapons
some of the quote finest cutting weapons in the global history of weaponry
this video is made in partnership with Sotheby’s if you’re interested in seeing
Sotheby’s if you’re interested in seeing more videos of cool historical artifacts
more videos of cool historical artifacts subscribe to Sotheby’s channel on
subscribe to Sotheby’s channel on YouTube
but these old-school tools are truly
something to marvel at welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
down our picks for the top 10 coolest
ancient warrior weapons before we begin
this video is made in partnership with
Sotheby’s if you’re interested in seeing
more videos of cool historical artifacts
subscribe to Sotheby’s channel on
YouTube for this list we’re looking at
the most interesting weapons from
history and avoiding specific ones that
were only used by one historical figure
number 10 flaming arrows a weapon that
doesn’t have to be complicated to get
the job done
[Music]
flaming arrows are one of the earliest
recorded uses of incendiary devices with
documented use from as far back as the
siege of LA he SH in 701 BC unlike many
of the other weapons on our list this
one kills two birds with one stone by
taking out a single enemy while
potentially starting a blaze that
hopefully spreads over the centuries
different populations have made
advancements to improve the basic
concept of flaming arrows but the
tried-and-true method can still work
destructive wonders number 9 atlatl or
spear thrower the design of this weapon
may be simple but it sure is effective
atlatl is the Nahuatl or Aztec word for
what is more commonly known as a spear
thrower tools like these have been used
for much of human history with traces of
this weapon being found in Europe from
the late Upper Paleolithic era the tool
essentially works the same way as that
thing you use to throw balls for your
dog to avoid getting slobber on your
hands an atlatl can be thrown at a range
of 110 yards from the user’s target
though it’s most accurate when used to
never ate flail the flail has several
different iterations but even in its
most basic form
it’s a weapon you do not want to go up
against the purpose of a weapon with
this design other than looking totally
cool is that with the right technique
you can wrap it around your opponent’s
shield striking them even when a sword
couldn’t the peasant flail which was
used in the late Middle Ages was
actually an agricultural tool that
peasants took to using in combat
interestingly due to a lack of physical
evidence it’s debated as to whether the
spiked flail which is so commonly seen
number seven twin hooks this weapon goes
by many different names the hook sword
tiger head hooks and in simplified
chinese but– ow
down you go though it’s design is reminiscent of a shepherd’s crook this
reminiscent of a shepherd’s crook this martial arts weapon can do some serious
martial arts weapon can do some serious damage the history behind this tool of
damage the history behind this tool of war is murky with some claiming it dates
war is murky with some claiming it dates back as far as the Song Dynasty of 962
back as far as the Song Dynasty of 962 1279 while others attest that there’s
1279 while others attest that there’s only evidence of it having been in use
only evidence of it having been in use since the ching era of the 17th century
since the ching era of the 17th century based on the historical facts twin hooks
based on the historical facts twin hooks were never officially used by the
were never officially used by the chinese army but were rather for
chinese army but were rather for civilian use
civilian use number 6 Chi Yong quite simply Chi Yong
number 6 Chi Yong quite simply Chi Yong is the Chinese word for spear in ancient
is the Chinese word for spear in ancient China there were four major weapons used
China there were four major weapons used in battle the staff the sabre the sword
in battle the staff the sabre the sword and the spear the Chi Yong or spear
and the spear the Chi Yong or spear earned the name the king of weapons
earned the name the king of weapons these Spears could range from 9 to 21
these Spears could range from 9 to 21 feet in length and were characterized by
feet in length and were characterized by their blades which were formed in the
their blades which were formed in the shape of leaves another distinctive
shape of leaves another distinctive feature of the chiong was the red tassel
feature of the chiong was the red tassel made of horsehair which served to
made of horsehair which served to distract the person being attacked and
distract the person being attacked and make it more difficult for them to grab
make it more difficult for them to grab the spear before it hit them just a
the spear before it hit them just a reminder to subscribe to Sotheby’s
reminder to subscribe to Sotheby’s channel for more videos featuring
channel for more videos featuring amazing and unique artifacts like a lost
amazing and unique artifacts like a lost Imperial Chinese vaz that was found in a
Imperial Chinese vaz that was found in a French attic number 5 scissor scissors
French attic number 5 scissor scissors you’re probably wondering how this
you’re probably wondering how this humble household item ended up on a list
humble household item ended up on a list of the coolest weapons in history
of the coolest weapons in history [Music]
[Music] however we’re not talking about scissors
however we’re not talking about scissors but rather the scissor singular a
but rather the scissor singular a short-range weapon used by a type of
short-range weapon used by a type of ancient Roman gladiator who shared the
ancient Roman gladiator who shared the weapons name this weapon is put over the
weapons name this weapon is put over the wearer’s forearm and features a handle
wearer’s forearm and features a handle inside for optimal precision the top
inside for optimal precision the top features a crescent-shaped blade that
features a crescent-shaped blade that made this a multi-purpose tool that
made this a multi-purpose tool that could either slash at your opponent or
could either slash at your opponent or block their attacks
block their attacks sadly little is known about this unique
sadly little is known about this unique weapon but it sure was cool number four
weapon but it sure was cool number four Greek fire the inventors of old sure had
Greek fire the inventors of old sure had the right idea when they came up with
the right idea when they came up with this incendiary weapons first used
this incendiary weapons first used around the Year 672 the Byzantine Empire
around the Year 672 the Byzantine Empire developed a formula that would create
developed a formula that would create fire that could not be extinguished even
fire that could not be extinguished even when it touched water this was extremely
when it touched water this was extremely effective for naval battles and was the
effective for naval battles and was the cause of a great number of victories for
cause of a great number of victories for the Romans the craziest part though
the Romans the craziest part though historians speculate it was a
historians speculate it was a combination of pine resin naphtha
combination of pine resin naphtha quicklime calcium phosphide and sulfur
quicklime calcium phosphide and sulfur even centuries later no one knows
even centuries later no one knows exactly how Greek fire was made so you
exactly how Greek fire was made so you betrayed me
betrayed me you promised me Greek liar and this is
you promised me Greek liar and this is all I can deliver I should have had you
all I can deliver I should have had you harm or Dallenbach with your permission
harm or Dallenbach with your permission milord
number three should ikan the Japanese translation of shuddha ken is hidden
translation of shuddha ken is hidden hand blade but we’re guessing you know
hand blade but we’re guessing you know these handy little weapons by their
these handy little weapons by their westernized moniker ninja stars while
westernized moniker ninja stars while those who’ve seen a lot of ninja movies
those who’ve seen a lot of ninja movies may be familiar with the star-shaped
may be familiar with the star-shaped version of these tiny terrors they were
version of these tiny terrors they were in fact made in a variety of different
in fact made in a variety of different shapes and in traditional use their
shapes and in traditional use their purpose wasn’t necessarily to kill your
purpose wasn’t necessarily to kill your enemy but rather to distract them while
enemy but rather to distract them while using a sword to go in for the final
using a sword to go in for the final blow
number two mace sometimes it’s the simplest tools that do the most damage a
simplest tools that do the most damage a mace is a weapon that can be fashioned
mace is a weapon that can be fashioned out of nearly anything which made it an
out of nearly anything which made it an accessible one for people from various
accessible one for people from various social classes the handle can be made
social classes the handle can be made from sturdy wood or metal it really just
from sturdy wood or metal it really just needs a piece on the tip heavy enough to
needs a piece on the tip heavy enough to deliver a solid blow maces have been
deliver a solid blow maces have been around since prehistory with evidence of
around since prehistory with evidence of them being found from the Upper
them being found from the Upper Paleolithic period a mace isn’t to be
Paleolithic period a mace isn’t to be confused with a Morningstar however
confused with a Morningstar however which is the mace like weapon that
which is the mace like weapon that features a spiked ball at its tip before
features a spiked ball at its tip before we unveil our number one pick here are
we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable mentions
number one katana despite all the advances we’ve made in weaponry over the
advances we’ve made in weaponry over the course of history
course of history none of our modern creations can hold a
none of our modern creations can hold a candle to this one in terms of coolness
candle to this one in terms of coolness swords in general are pretty awesome but
swords in general are pretty awesome but none has quite as much mythos and lore
none has quite as much mythos and lore attached to them as katanas do these
attached to them as katanas do these ancient Japanese blades are forged with
ancient Japanese blades are forged with a curved edge which sets them apart from
a curved edge which sets them apart from their Western counterparts historians
their Western counterparts historians have called katana
have called katana some of the quote finest cutting weapons
some of the quote finest cutting weapons in the global history of weaponry
this video is made in partnership with Sotheby’s if you’re interested in seeing
Sotheby’s if you’re interested in seeing more videos of cool historical artifacts
more videos of cool historical artifacts subscribe to Sotheby’s channel on
subscribe to Sotheby’s channel on YouTube
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